Shishmaref, AK Demographics

A map of Shishmaref's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Native American/Other	454	555	97.4%	96.4%
White	7	15	1.5%	2.6%
Asian	5	0	1.1%	0.0%
Black	0	4	0.0%	0.7%
Hispanic	0	0	0.0%	0.0%
Multiracial	0	2	0.0%	0.3%

Shishmaref, Alaska has an estimated population of 466, a large decrease from the 576 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 97.4% Native American/Other, 1.5% White, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic, and 0.0% Multiracial. This demographic dot map shows the population of Shishmaref, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Shishmaref has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Alaska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Shishmaref, that probability was 7.1% in 2020 and 5.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Shishmaref is ranked the 134th most populous place in Alaska, out of 355 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Shishmaref was ranked the 112th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Shishmaref's White Population

7 residents of Shishmaref, or 1.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Shishmaref is significantly lower than in Alaska overall, where 57.7% of the population is White. Shishmaref ranks 305th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's White population has declined by an estimated 53.3%. White residents' share of Shishmaref's population has decreased from 2.6% to 1.5%.

Shishmaref is less White than neighboring Brevig Mission (1.8% White), Teller (2.4% White), Port Clarence (75% White), Nome (23.5% White), and Wales (10.1% White).

Shishmaref's Black Population

0 residents of Shishmaref, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Shishmaref is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 2.9% of the population is Black. Shishmaref ranks 77th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Shishmaref's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Shishmaref is less Black than neighboring Nome (1.6% Black).

Shishmaref's Asian Population

5 residents of Shishmaref, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Shishmaref is lower than in Alaska overall, where 6.4% of the population is Asian. Shishmaref ranks 168th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 5. Asian residents' share of Shishmaref's population has increased from 0.0% to 1.1%.

Shishmaref is more Asian than neighboring Brevig Mission (0.8% Asian), Teller (0% Asian), and Wales (0% Asian). Shishmaref is less Asian than neighboring Port Clarence (25% Asian), and Nome (3.2% Asian).

Shishmaref's Hispanic Population

0 residents of Shishmaref, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Shishmaref is lower than in Alaska overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Shishmaref ranks 285th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's Hispanic population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Hispanic residents' share of Shishmaref's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Shishmaref is less Hispanic than neighboring Teller (0.8% Hispanic), and Nome (5.5% Hispanic).

Shishmaref's Native American/Other Population

454 residents of Shishmaref, or 97.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Shishmaref is significantly higher than in Alaska overall, where 15.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Shishmaref ranks 15th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 18.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Shishmaref's population has increased from 96.4% to 97.4%.

Shishmaref is more Native American/Other than neighboring Brevig Mission (95.8% Native American/Other), Teller (96.9% Native American/Other), Port Clarence (0% Native American/Other), Nome (49.9% Native American/Other), and Wales (89.9% Native American/Other).

Shishmaref's Multiracial Population

0 residents of Shishmaref, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Shishmaref is considerably lower than in Alaska overall, where 10.3% of the population is Multiracial. Shishmaref ranks 320th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Shishmaref's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Shishmaref's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Shishmaref is less Multiracial than neighboring Brevig Mission (1.5% Multiracial), and Nome (16.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.